Universal Wireless Trainable Transceiver Unit With Integrated Bidirectional Wireless Interface For Vehicles

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unit with integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and a method for same. Using a scan, push button or untrained channel mode, a user may enter into a wireless bidirectional interface mode of a trainable transceiver. The interface mode allows a user to select a sub-set of modes that include diagnostics, flash and vehicle interface. Each mode provides the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly in a bidirectional manner with another remote device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/530,478, filed on Jan. 21, 2011, which is the U.S. National Stage ofInternational Patent Application Ser. No. PCT/US2011/022002 filed onJan. 21, 2011, entitled “Universal Wireless Trainable Transceiver UnitWith Integrated Bidirectional Wireless Interface For Vehicles” whichclaims priority to German Application No. DE 102010005385.6, filed Jan.21, 2010, the entire disclosures of these applications are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unitwith integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and amethod for same.

BACKGROUND

Conventional systems for controlling appliances and devices, such asgarage door openers, security gates, home alarms, lighting, computers,etc., use individual remote controls to operate a respective applianceand/or device. With this conventional system, it is difficult to controlmultiple devices or appliances, much less consolidate operation of theappliances and devices into a single, controllable system. For example,garage door opener mechanisms open and close a garage door in responseto a radio frequency control signal. The control signal is typicallygenerated and transmitted from a remote control that is sold with thegarage opener. The control signal has a preset carrier frequency andcontrol code such that the garage door opener mechanism is responsiveonly to the remote control issuing the associated control signal. Aproblem associated with this type of system is that the door opener mustreceive a specific predetermined control signal in order to be operated.That is, each appliance and device must receive a specific predeterminedcontrol signal. Therefore, a user wishing to control multiple appliancesand/or devices is required to have multiple remote controls.

With an ever evolving technological society, there is an increasingdemand for a communication system that is capable of operating multipleappliances and devices in a consolidated manner. Communication systemscurrently exist which enable multiple appliances and devices tocommunicate with a central or single remote device. One such system isHomelink™, owned by Johnson Controls, Inc., in which a trainabletransceiver is able to “learn” characteristics of received controlsignals such that the trainable transceiver may subsequently generateand transmit a signal having the learned characteristics to a remotelycontrolled device or appliance. FIG. 1 is an example of a wirelesscontrol system 12 having a transceiver circuit 14 and a remoteelectronic system 16 (remote device) which also has a transceivercircuit 18. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,226,hereby incorporated by reference. Another such system is disclosed in EPPat. No. 0 935 226 B1, also hereby incorporated by reference.

In order for the trainable transceivers to operate, each signal istypically associated with a user-actuated switch 20 or a user selectsone of the learned signals on the trainable transceiver by selecting anassociated switch 20 (e.g. by pressing a button on the trainabletransceiver associated with the device to be operated). For example, auser may select one or multiple of buttons B1, B2, B3 illustrated inFIG. 2. For the trainable transceiver to learn the signalcharacteristics of various signals of different length and duration, theamount of memory 22 provided and allocated within the trainabletransceiver for each transmission channel must be sufficient to storethe characteristics of the largest signal to be learned.

Additionally, in order for the trainable transceiver to work properly inthe communication system, it must be compatible to the appliance ordevice, and in particular, with potentially numerous appliances anddevices that the trainable transceiver is likely to communicate withover the course of time. Naturally, it is difficult to predict whichappliances and/or devices a user may wish to control such that thetrainable transceiver may be programmed for compatibility. Moreover, asnew appliances and devices are developed, after the trainabletransceiver has been initially programmed, there is no current processto update the trainable transceiver such that the new appliances anddevices are compatible for use in the communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unitwith integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and amethod for same.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a method of wirelesslyinterfacing with a trainable transceiver located in a vehicle, includingentering into one of a plurality of modes; and interfacing with a remotedevice using one of the plurality of modes in a bidirectionalcommunication.

In one aspect of the invention, the method further includes selectingone of a plurality of inputs on the trainable transceiver; transmittingpackets from the trainable transceiver to the remote device; receivingpackets from the remote device, the packet including a request command;and transmitting a response command to the remote device based on therequested command.

In another aspect of the invention, the method further includesdetermining whether the packet received by the trainable transceiver isvalid; when the received packet is invalid, and a predetermined periodof time has elapsed, entering into train mode; and when the receivedpacket is valid, determining whether the request from the remote deviceis valid: if the request is invalid, entering into train mode, and ifthe request is valid, entering into the train mode when the request isfor normal operation, and entering into a wireless diagnostic mode whenthe request is for diagnostic mode.

In still another aspect of the invention, the method further includesselecting a sequence of one of a plurality of inputs on the trainabletransceiver; determining whether the sequence is valid; if the sequenceis invalid, entering into a normal operation mode; and if the sequenceis valid, receiving a request command from the remote device at thetrainable transceiver, and transmitting a response command to the remotedevice from the trainable transceiver based on the request command.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the method further includesdetermining whether the packet has been received; if the packet has beenreceived and is valid, determining which one of the plurality of modeshas been requested by the request command; if the request command is fordiagnostics, sending a response command to the remote device to set aflag to enter into wireless diagnostic mode, and entering into thewireless diagnostic mode; and if the request command is for flash,sending a response command to the remote device and entering into awireless flash mode.

In another aspect of the invention, the method further includes if thepacket has not been received, and a predetermined amount of time haselapsed, entering into normal operation mode; if the packet has beenreceived, determining whether the received packet is valid; and if thereceived packet is invalid, entering into normal operation mode.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the plurality of modes includesone of a wireless diagnostic mode, a wireless flash mode and a wirelessvehicle interface mode.

In still another aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of modesis an executable program product stored in memory of the trainabletransceiver and executable by a microcontroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a trainable receiver inaccordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary interface for a trainable transceiver inaccordance with FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a trainable transceiver in accordancewith one embodiment in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a trainable transceiver in accordancewith another embodiment in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary table including packet commands for transmissionand receipt in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram of entry into various modes inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of communication between a trainabletransceiver and a testing apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram of entry into various modes of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of communication between a trainabletransceiver and a testing apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary boot loader code BLC and application code ACmemory in the trainable transceiver in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a universal wireless trainable transceiver unitwith integrated bidirectional wireless interface functionality, and amethod for same. Using a scan, push button or untrained channel mode, auser may enter into a wireless bidirectional interface mode of atrainable transceiver. The interface mode allows a user to select asub-set of modes that include, but are not limited to, diagnostics,flash (e.g. programming and reprogramming) and vehicle interface. Eachmode provides the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly in abidirectional manner with another remote device.

The system provides two types of functionality. The first type offunctionality is a trainable transceiver that replaces one or moreremote controls with a single built-in component through the learningand reproduction of radio frequency codes of remote controls used, forexample, to activate garage doors, property gates, security and lightingsystems.

Versions of the trainable transceiver of this type base functionality ona button status change and use wired communication, as depicted in FIG.3. That is, in order to change modes on the trainable transceiver, abutton or combination of buttons or button sequence must be initiated.Once initiated, the status mode changes to one of the following: an IdleMode 37 (without an active LIN communication 38), Clear Mode 30, LearnMode 31, Transmit Mode 32, Default Mode 33, Chamberlain Mode 34, ChangeCountry Code Mode 35 and Info Mode 36. Specifically, in Idle Mode 37,the trainable transceiver must wait for an active LIN wire communication38 from the vehicle in order to accomplish diagnostics, re-flash ofmemory, etc.

The second type of functionality is a trainable transceiver havingbidirectional communication (transmit-receive) with a remote device, asdescribed in more detail below. The trainable transceiver of theinvention enhances functionality by providing a wireless bidirectionalinterface mode 40. The wireless bidirectional interface mode 40 providesnew modes of operation, namely wireless diagnostic mode 41, wirelessflash mode 42, and wireless vehicle interface mode 43. These three modesare in addition to the Clear Mode 30, Learn Mode 31, Transmit Mode 32,Default Mode 33, Chamberlain Mode 34, Change Country Code Mode 35 andInfo Mode 36 used in the prior versions of the trainable transceiver.

The trainable transceiver of the instant invention replaces the idlemode 37 with a wireless bidirectional interface mode 40(transmit-receive mode). The wireless bidirectional interface mode 40enables the trainable transceiver to communicate wirelessly with aremote device in one of the three modes: 1) automatic scan mode; 2) pushbutton mode; and 3) untrained channel mode.

In one embodiment, the trainable transceiver continuously orautomatically scans for devices using a receiver 24 of the built-inwireless transceiver 14. Each device has a frequency and an ID data codeassociated therewith. When one of the frequencies is received, themicrocontroller 26 in the trainable transceiver checks to determinewhether a corresponding ID code exists in memory 22, and if so, begins acommunication with the remote device. The mode of communication (e.g.wireless diagnostic mode 41, wireless flash mode 42, wireless vehicleinterface mode 43) depends on the remote device detected. For example,if the remote device is a diagnostic tool, the trainable transceiverwill enter into the wireless diagnostic mode 41. Additionally, the datareceived from the remote device could be transferred to other electronicdevices in the car through an internal network.

The wireless bidirectional interface mode may also be set using a pushbutton mode (button status change). As illustrated, for example, in FIG.4, a user may select or push buttons B1, B2 and B3 on the interface INT(FIG. 2) to enter into a specified mode. For example, pressing buttonsB1 and B2 (concurrently or in sequence) on interface INT results inentering the wireless diagnostic mode 41, whereas pressing buttons B2and B3 (concurrently or in sequence) on interface INT results inentering the wireless flash mode 42. In another exemplary, if the BootLoader Code BLC (FIG. 10) detects a power up initiated by the followingexemplary sequence: 1) all three buttons B1, B2, B3 pressed, 2) allthree buttons B1, B2 and B3 are released, 3) the outer buttons B1 and B3are pressed within a predetermined amount of time, then released, and 4)the middle button B2 is pressed within a predetermined amount of time,the Boot Loader Code BLC will go into a packet receive mode, and waitfor a predetermined amount of time for a command from the remote deviceindicating what mode to enter (wireless diagnostic mode 41, wirelessflash mode 42 or wireless vehicle interface mode 43). If a valid commandis not received within the predetermined amount of time, the trainabletransceiver will remove the power hold and power down. Pressing a buttonduring this time, as well as any time while in one of the modes willalso remove the power hold and allow the trainable transceiver to powerdown. It is appreciated that the number of buttons, sequences and/ortime frame is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Any variationor number of buttons and time frames may be used to enter into aspecified mode.

Another method to enter into the wireless bidirectional interface mode40 is to use the untrained channel default transmission method as bestshown in FIG. 6. When an untrained channel button is pressed at step 50(e.g. selection of a no-trained button), the trainable transceivertransmits a packet at step 52 for a predetermined period of time. Inresponse to the transmission, the trainable transceiver will enter apacket receive RX mode at step 54 to wait for a request from a remotedevice to enter a specified mode (e.g. wireless diagnostic mode), asdescribed in more detail below.

Setting or activating the wireless bidirectional interface mode 40enables a user to select any one of three sub-modes, including 1) awireless diagnostic mode 41; 2) a wireless flash mode 42; and 3) awireless vehicle interface mode 43. These three modes 41, 42, 43 may beentered by scan, push button or untrained channel selection as describedabove or as described in the detailed, exemplary embodiments thatfollow.

Wireless Diagnostic Mode

Wireless diagnostics provides a wireless interface (i.e. there is noneed to disassemble the trainable transceiver to connect cables fordiagnostics) for performing specific diagnostic functions internal tothe trainable transceiver diagnostics found in vehicles. Wirelessdiagnostic mode 41 is typically for near field communications, such asusing the diagnostic tool to diagnose the trainable transceiver.Diagnostic commands support manufacturing and bench testing andinformation gathering, as shown for example in the table of FIG. 5. Thediagnostic packet commands include, for example, DIAG_REQ (request) andDIAG_RSP (response). It is understood that these commands are exemplaryin nature and are not limited to those described in the table of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 discloses an exemplary sequence for entering the wirelessdiagnostic mode 41. Here, once an untrained channel button (mode) presshas been performed at step 50 as described above, the trainabletransceiver may enter into either a wireless diagnostic mode 41, or atrain/learn mode. Specifically, once an untrained channel button presshas been accomplished at step 50, a packet is transmitted (TX) for apredetermined amount of time at step 52. The packet can include, forexample, a default code, a part number, etc. in the payload.Additionally, in order for the remote device (for example, Tool) toreceive the packet, it must be in packet receipt mode. Upon transmittingpackets in step 52, the trainable transceiver and tool enter into acommunication state as depicted in FIG. 7 (described below). Uponreceipt of the initial packet from the trainable transceiver at theTool, the Tool acknowledges receipt of the packet and sends a commandback (e.g. a Request REQ) to the trainable receiver at step 53, and thepacket receive mode begins at step 54.

The communication state is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7. Here, apacket is transmitted by the trainable transceiver (represented by HLV(App), which refers to the application code AC of the trainabletransceiver memory) at step 70. Upon receipt by the tool during packetreceive mode 72, a request (REQ) is sent from the Tool in step 74 untila predetermined amount of requests are sent or a response (RSP) isreceived back from the trainable transceiver at 76.

As packets are transmitted between the trainable transceiver and theTool, the following is carried out. With reference to FIG. 6, at step 56it is determined whether a packet has been received. If no packet hasbeen received, then at step 58 it is determined whether a time out hasoccurred. If a time out has occurred, then the trainable transceiverenters into the Train/Learn Mode at step 60. Otherwise, the procedureloops back to step 56 to monitor whether a packet has been receiveduntil such time out occurs. If, on the other hand, a packet has beenreceived from the Tool, the procedure determines whether the receivedpacket is a valid REQ from the Tool at step 62. If the packet isdetermined to be invalid, then an invalid RSP is transmitted asdetermined at step 64 and Train/Learn Mode is entered at step 60.Alternatively, an error may be present in the REQ sent from the Tool, inwhich case an invalid transmission response (TX RSP) is also determinedat step 64. Ifthe packet received is determined to be valid REQ from theTool in step 62, then it is determined at step 63 whether the REQ is a“NORMAL_OP” (normal operation) or a “WIRELESS_DIAG” (wirelessdiagnostic) REQ. If it is determined in step 63 that the REQ is awireless diagnostic request, then a response RSP for entering diagnosticmode is transmitted at step 66, and the wireless diagnostic mode 41 isentered at 68. If, on the other hand, the REQ is a normal operationrequest, then a RSP for entering Train/Learn Mode is transmitted at step65, and the Train/Learn Mode is entered at 60. It is appreciated thatthe wireless diagnostic mode 41 may also be entered via scan mode orbutton sequence detection (push button mode), as described below withrespect to the wireless flash mode 42. It is also understood that theREQ is not limited to the described embodiments, and that any command ortext may be used as the REQ.

Wireless Flash Mode

The wireless flash mode 42 enables a user to program (flash) orreprogram (reflash) the trainable transceiver. The details ofprogramming/reprogramming the trainable transceiver are not discussed inthis application. Rather, the ability to enter into wireless flash mode42 using the trainable transceiver is addressed as follows and withreference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram of entry intovarious modes of the invention. Specifically, the flow diagramillustrates a user entering into the wireless diagnostic mode 41 or thewireless flash mode 42 using a predefined button sequence. It isappreciated that other modes may also be entered into using the buttonsequence mode, including the wireless vehicle interface mode 43 andwireless diagnostic mode 41. Upon powering up the trainable transceiver(for example, pressing a button B1, B2, B3) at step 80, a user enters asequence of buttons which are detected by the trainable transceiver atstep 81. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4, the user may pushbuttons B2and B3 on the interface INT to initiate the button sequence detection instep 81. If a valid button sequence is not detected at step 82, then theprocedure continues to step 83 (“Jump to App,” which refers to thenormal operation Application code of the trainable transceiver depictedin FIG. 10). If, on the other hand, a valid button sequence is detectedat step 82, then the procedure continues to the enter packet receivemode in step 84. In this mode, the trainable transceiver and Tool begincommunicating as explained below with reference to FIG. 9.

It is determined in step 85 whether a packet has been received fromTool. If no, then it is determined at step 86 whether a time out (e.g.predetermined time limit has expired) or button selection has occurred.If no time out of button selection has occurred as determined at step86, the procedure loops back to step 85 to determine whether a packethas been received. If a time out or button selection has occurred, thenthe procedure continues to step 83 and returns to the “Jump to App”sequence (e.g. the normal operation application code sequence stored inmemory of the trainable transceiver).

As packets are transmitted between the trainable transceiver and theTool, the following is carried out. If it is determined at step 85 thata packet has been received, then the trainable transceiver determineswhether the packet is valid at step 87. If the packet is determined tobe invalid, then at step 88 a RSP is sent to the Tool indicating thatthe packet is invalid and the procedure continues to step 83 where thetrainable transceiver enters into normal operation mode by jumping tothe appropriate application residing in the application code AC sectionof the trainable transceiver memory 100 as best shown in FIG. 10. If, onthe other hand, it is determined that the packet is valid, then at step89 the trainable transceiver determines which mode has been requested bythe Tool in step 76 as shown in FIG. 7. If the wireless diagnostic mode41 has been requested, then a flag is sent at step 90 indicating thatthe wireless diagnostic mode should be entered at step 91. The wirelessdiagnostic mode 41 is entered at step 83 by jumping to the applicationcode AC residing in the trainable transceiver memory 100 depicted inFIG. 10. If the request at step 89 is to enter the wireless flash mode42, then the trainable transceiver transmits a RSP at step 92 to enterinto the wireless flash mode at step 93.

Wireless Vehicle Interface Mode

The wireless vehicle interface mode 43 provides the ability to link thetrainable transceiver with various equipment located in or external tothe vehicle (near field or far field), such as remote keyless systems,tire pressure gauges, mobile devices, other vehicles, garage doors, etc.Traditionally, for each of the aforementioned equipment, the vehicleincludes a module that enables communication between the vehicle and theequipment. These modules can be replaced with the trainable transceiversuch that the trainable transceiver becomes the communication interfacebetween the vehicle and the equipments (the trainable transceiverreplaces the modules). The trainable transceiver can be programmed toenable interfacing with countless devices and applications.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary boot loader code BLC and applicationcode AC memory of the trainable transceiver. At step 95, the Tool beingssending requests REQ (e.g. request for diagnostic or flash mode) back tothe trainable transceiver. Once a button sequence has been initiated,the trainable transceiver begins to receive packets from the Tool atstep 96. In response to the transmitted packets from the Tool, thetrainable transceiver sends a response RSP back to the Tool includinginformation relevant to the REQ at step 97.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings herein can be implemented in avariety of forms. Therefore, while the described features have beendescribed in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scopeof the features should not be so limited since other modifications willbecome apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawingsand the present specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication andinterfacing between a trainable transceiver located in a vehicle and aremote device, comprising: establishing bidirectional communicationbetween the trainable transceiver and the remote device, wherein thetrainable transceiver waits to receive a request command from the remotedevice; transmitting a request command from the remote device to thetrainable transceiver, wherein the request command is configured tocause the trainable transceiver to enter into one of the plurality ofmodes of operation; and transmitting a response command from thetrainable transceiver to the remote device based on the request command,wherein the trainable transceiver enters into one of a plurality ofmodes of operation in response to the request command from the remotedevice received during the bidirectional communication between thetrainable transceiver and the remote device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of modes of operation include one of a wirelessdiagnostic mode, a wireless flash mode, and a wireless vehicle interfacemode, wherein the wireless diagnostic mode of the trainable transceiveris configured to perform diagnostic functions internal to the trainabletransceiver at the direction of the remote device, wherein the remotedevice is a diagnostic tool; wherein the wireless flash mode of thetrainable transceiver is configured to reprogram the trainabletransceiver; and wherein the wireless vehicle interface mode of thetrainable transceiver is configured to link the trainable transceiverwith equipment related to the vehicle.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinestablishing bidirectional communication between the trainabletransceiver and the remote device comprises: transmitting firstinformation from the trainable transceiver to the remote device; andtransmitting second information from the remote device to the trainabletransceiver, wherein the second information includes the requestcommand.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, atthe trainable transceiver and while waiting to receive the requestcommand, that the request command has not been received within apredetermined amount of time; and ending the bidirectional communicationbetween the trainable transceiver and the remote device in response todetermining that the request command has not been received.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: entering, at the trainabletransceiver, a training mode, wherein the training mode is configured tocause the trainable transceiver to learn information used in reproducingone or more radio frequency codes of remote controls used to control anappliance.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determiningwhether the request command from the remote device is valid and: upondetermining that the request is invalid, entering into a training mode,and upon determining that the request is valid, entering into the trainmode when the request command is for normal operation, and entering intoa wireless diagnostic mode when the request command is for diagnosticmode.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whichone of the plurality of modes of operation has been requested by therequest command; in response to determining that the request command isfor wireless diagnostic mode, sending a response command to the remotedevice to set a flag to enter into wireless diagnostic mode, andentering into the wireless diagnostic mode at the trainable transceiver;and in response to determining that the request command is for wirelessflash mode, sending a response command to the remote device and enteringinto a wireless flash mode at the trainable transceiver.
 8. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: if the packet transmitted from theremote device to the trainable transceiver has not been received by thetrainable transceiver, and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed,entering into normal operation mode; if the packet transmitted from theremote device to the trainable transceiver has been received by thetrainable transceiver, determining whether the received packettransmitted from the remote device to the trainable transceiver isvalid; and if the received packet transmitted from the remote device tothe trainable transceiver is invalid, entering into normal operationmode.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving one of aplurality of inputs on the trainable transceiver to enter into one ofthe plurality of modes of operation; and exiting a current mode ofoperation and entering a new mode of operation based on the one or aplurality of inputs.
 10. A method of wireless communication andinterfacing between a trainable transceiver located in a vehicle and aremote device, comprising: receiving a sequence of a plurality of inputson the trainable transceiver; determining whether the sequence is valid;if the sequence is invalid, entering into a normal operation mode; andif the sequence is valid: receiving a request command from the remotedevice at the trainable transceiver, transmitting a response command tothe remote device from the trainable transceiver based on the requestcommand, and wherein the trainable transceiver enters into one of aplurality of modes of operation in response to the request command fromthe remote device received during the bidirectional communicationbetween the trainable transceiver and the remote device.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the plurality of modes of operation include one ofa wireless diagnostic mode, a wireless flash mode, and a wirelessvehicle interface mode, wherein the wireless diagnostic mode of thetrainable transceiver is configured to perform diagnostic functionsinternal to the trainable transceiver at the direction of the remotedevice, wherein the remote device is a diagnostic tool; wherein thewireless flash mode of the trainable transceiver is configured toreprogram the trainable transceiver; and wherein the wireless vehicleinterface mode of the trainable transceiver is configured to link thetrainable transceiver with equipment related to the vehicle.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: entering into one of a pluralityof modes of operation in response to the plurality of inputs received atthe trainable transceiver, wherein the plurality of modes of operationinclude one of a wireless diagnostic mode, a wireless flash mode, and awireless vehicle interface mode
 13. A trainable transceiver unit for avehicle comprising: a microcontroller; a memory in communication withsaid microcontroller; and a wireless bidirectional interface mode storedin said memory and having executable instructions configured toestablish wireless bidirectional communication between said transceiverunit and at least one remote device, wherein the trainable transceiveris configured to receive a request command from a remote device usingwireless bidirectional communication with the remote device, and whereinthe trainable transceiver enters one of a plurality of modes ofoperation in response to the request command received from the remotedevice during the bidirectional communication between the trainabletransceiver and the remote device .
 14. The trainable transceiver ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of modes of operation includes at leastone of a wireless diagnostic mode, a wireless flash mode, or a wirelessvehicle interface mode, wherein the wireless diagnostic mode of thetrainable transceiver is configured to perform diagnostic functionsinternal to the trainable transceiver at the direction of the remotedevice, wherein the remote device is a diagnostic tool; wherein thewireless flash mode of the trainable transceiver is configured toreprogram the trainable transceiver; and wherein the wireless vehicleinterface mode of the trainable transceiver is configured to link thetrainable transceiver with equipment related to the vehicle.
 15. Thetrainable transceiver of claim 13, wherein the trainable transceiver isconfigured to transmit first information from the trainable transceiverto the remote device, wherein the trainable transceiver is configured toreceive second information from the remote device, wherein the secondinformation includes the request command, and wherein bidirectionalcommunication between the trainable transceiver and the remote device isestablished upon the receipt of the second information by the trainabletransceiver.
 16. A trainable transceiver unit as set forth in claim 13,further comprising: a wireless transceiver, wherein said wirelessbidirectional interface mode includes an automatic scan mode havingexecutable instructions configured to initiate a continuous scan for theat least one remote device using the wireless transceiver.
 17. Atrainable transceiver unit as set forth in claim 13, further comprising:a plurality of user input devices in communication with saidmicrocontroller selectable by a user to initiate said wirelessbi-directional interface mode of said transceiver unit.
 18. A trainabletransceiver unit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising: theplurality of modes of operation including a wireless diagnostic modehaving executable instructions configured to provide a wirelessinterface for diagnosing the trainable transceiver; a predefinedwireless diagnostic mode selection sequence stored in said memory; andwherein the microcontroller is configured to detect a selection sequenceof user inputs received at the plurality of user input devices andexecute said executable instructions of said wireless diagnosis mode inresponse to the selection sequence correlating with said predeterminedwireless diagnostic mode selection sequence.
 19. A trainable transceiverunit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising: the plurality ofmodes of operation including a wireless flash mode having executableinstructions configured to enable a user to program and reprogram saidtrainable transceiver; a predefined wireless flash mode selectionsequence stored in said memory; and wherein the microcontroller isconfigured to detect a selection sequence of user inputs received at theplurality of user input devices and execute said executable instructionsof said wireless flash mode in response to the selection sequencecorrelating with said predetermined flash mode selection sequence.
 20. Atrainable transceiver unit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising:the plurality of modes of operation including a wireless vehicleinterface mode having executable instructions configured to link saidtrainable transceiver unit with the at least one remote device; apredetermined wireless vehicle interface mode selection sequence storedin said memory; and wherein the microcontroller is configured to detecta selection sequence of the user inputs received at the plurality ofuser input devices and execute said executable instructions of saidwireless flash mode in response to the selection sequence correlatingwith said wireless vehicle interface mode selection.